Bruce Westerman (R-AR)
Expressing support for the designation of April 2026 as "Second Chance Month".
A Republican resolution with 6 Democratic cosponsors · See all 10 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
A House resolution is the House speaking for itself: stating a position, honouring someone, or setting its own rules. Adopting it is the whole process. Once the House agrees to it, it is officially the House's word; it is not a law, so the Senate and the President have no part in it.
What this bill would do
This resolution expresses support for designating April 2026 as "Second Chance Month." It highlights the legal and societal barriers, known as collateral consequences, that individuals face after returning from Federal and State prisons. The text notes that these barriers affect employment, education, and housing. The resolution aims to increase public awareness regarding these impacts and the need for closure for those who have paid their debt. Additionally, it honors the efforts of various groups to remove barriers that prevent people from becoming productive members of society.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +3
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The resolution highlights that collateral consequences particularly impact underserved communities of color.
- Scored +3
Is this likely to lift people out of poverty?
By addressing employment and housing barriers, the resolution seeks to improve economic mobility and well-being for families.
- Scored +3
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The resolution targets barriers affecting economic mobility and family well-being which often impact low-income households.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Public Awareness: The designation of "Second Chance Month" may contribute to increased public awareness regarding the impact of collateral consequences and the need for closure for individuals with a criminal record who have paid their debt. (Resolution, Section 2, Clause 1)
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Community Support and Opportunity: The resolution calls for actions that provide opportunities for individuals, employers, congregations, and communities to extend second chances. (Resolution, Section 2, Clause 1)
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Removal of Barriers: The resolution honors the work of communities, governmental institutions, nonprofit organizations, congregations, employers, and individuals to remove unnecessary legal and societal barriers that prevent individuals with criminal records from becoming productive members of society. (Resolution, Clause 2)
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly identified in the text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By addressing employment and housing barriers, the resolution seeks to improve economic mobility and well-being for families. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The resolution highlights that collateral consequences particularly impact underserved communities of color. Does this make housing cost less? — The resolution addresses the difficulty individuals with criminal records face in securing housing and accessing public housing. Does this shorten or soften prison sentences? — The resolution advocates for closure and the removal of barriers for those who have already paid their debt to society.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The resolution notes that collateral consequences disproportionately impact underserved communities of color. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The resolution targets barriers affecting economic mobility and family well-being which often impact low-income households.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The resolution aims to reduce barriers to meaningful employment for individuals returning from prison. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The text notes that individuals with criminal records face barriers to accessing capital to start small businesses.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — The resolution addresses barriers to receiving financial aid for educational programs for those with criminal records.
- 4/27/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 4/14/2026
- Submitted in House
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 7 Cosponsors added.
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana
Danny DavisDemocrat · Illinois
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York
Carol MillerRepublican · West Virginia
Lucy McBathDemocrat · Georgia
Barry MooreRepublican · Alabama
LaMonica McIverDemocrat · New Jersey
John RutherfordRepublican · Florida
Robert ScottDemocrat · Virginia